Things You Should Know About Penang

Located about 370 kilometers about Kuala Lumpur, Penang is a famous tourist destination in Malaysia. It is one of the most prosperous states in Malaysia. With its picturesque scenery of island, rich history and multi-culture, Penang provides you various things to do, delicious foods to taste and wonderful historical site to experience. To reach the George town, the best-known place of Penang, you should take ferry from the Malaysian mainland.

In March 1786, Captain Francis Light of the British East India Company forced the Sultan of Kedah to agree to lease Penang to the British East India Company. He became the first governor and Penang became the first free trade port of Britain in the Malay Peninsula. In 1791, the Province Wellesley on the other side of Penang was also ceded to Britain, and the two places were gradually collectively called Penang.

In 1826, the British colonial authorities integrated Penang, Singapore and Malacca into a strait colony. In 1948, Penang became one of the federal states of Malaya. On August 31, 1957, after Malaya became independent, and Penang became a member of Malaya Federation.

Malaysia is a must-visit destination when you plan a travel to Southeast Asia, and you should not miss Penang while traveling to Malaysia. If you plan a trip to Malaysia or just want to learn more about this World Heritage Site, this article will provide you some interesting facts about Penang.

1. Penang is consisted of two parts

Penang, Palau Pinang in Malay, is divided into two parts by Penang Strait, Penang Island and Seberang Perai, also known as Province Wellesley during the colony of British. Penang is the largest port in Malaysia and the second largest city in Malaysia. Also, it is a World Heritage Site in Malaysia together with Malacca. Some people may think that Penang Island is the whole land of Penang. Actually, Penang includes part of the western Malay Peninsula. Penang International Airport, Penang Hii, Clan jetties, George Town and many famous tourist attractions concentrate on the Penang Island, and it is recommended to stay at the Penang Island, which is convenient to get to the attractions.

2. Penang is a hot city

Located in equator, Penang is typical tropical rainforest climate with high temperature and rainfall. The average temperature in Penang is around 25-30℃, which is really hot in summer or other seasons. The difference between the maximum temperature of hottest month and coolest month is just 1-2℃. Also, there is much rainfall in Penang all the year around. Even if you visit Penang at the driest month, you will deal with many rainy days. And it is difficult to recommend the best time to visit Penang since the hot weather and rainfall. Our suggestion is choosing a time to avoid the crowds with less cost.

Though it is hard to suggest the best time to visit Penang. If you like sunny days, you can visit Penang in January with the most sunshine.

3. Penang is the birthplace of durian

Durian produced in Penang is called one of the most delicious durian in the world. The durian in Penang mainly produce in Balik Pulau with the most complete species of durian, freshest flavour and highest quality. Balik Pulau is one the most famous producing area of durian in the world, where you can enjoy the freshest and most tasty durian.

At the Penang Durian Festival, you can taste the many types of durian at this time usually from June to August. The Penang Durian Festival makes Penang the paradise for durian lovers. They can taste many types of the durian. You can taste the fresh durian with 2 hours after they fall down from the trees. And if you want to taste more types of durian at a time, you can have a try of the Durian Buffet.

4. Penang is a slow-paced city

Traveling to Penang, you should slow down to fit it with the slow-paced life, which is really peaceful and relaxing. Penang is a place that you can walk slowly, experience slowly and make your each things slowly. The multi-culture of Penang makes it inclusive for many colors and many other culture. Each tourist will feel the friendly and warm-hearted of the Penang people including a stranger on the street, a vendor and a taxi driver. Some restaurants will close in the afternoon. It seems that everyone in Penang loves their life and enjoy their life. And city walk is very suitable in Penang. You can stroll around the city or cycle aimlessly. Measure and perceive the city with your feet, and feel the charm of Penang in history, geography, humanity, customs and life.

5. Penang is a paradise of foodies

Not only the slow-paced life, but also the various delicious foods in Penang are impressive to each tourist. Penang is a melting pot of Malaysian, Chinese and Indians, which makes it a paradise of foodies because it concentrates many kinds of foods of various people. You can taste local Malaysian cuisine, Chinese cuisine, Indian cuisine and Nyonya cuisine. You can taste famous Char Koay Teow, white curry mee, white coffee, Asam Laksa, Hokkien Mee, cendol and Nyonya dishes. There are many other tasty foods, drinks and snacks in Penang that we do not mention. In Penang, you can have different foods for a week, and we make sure that it will be different. If you are a foodie, Penang is waiting for you. Welcome to visit Penang.

6. Penang got its name because of areca

Dispatched by the East India Company, Colonel Francis Light of Britain came to Penang in 1786. When he found many areca trees that looked like coconuts and palms on the island, he asked the locals what kind of trees they were, and the locals replied with Pinang in Malay. Later, it was spelled Penang, hence the name. In a broad sense, Penang refers to Penang state, one of the thirteen federal states in Malaysia, and in a narrow sense, Penang refers to Georgetown, the capital of Penang. Colonel Francis Light named the northeast corner of Penang Island after George III in Britain when he arrived Penang in early 1786.